Cetaceans: Whales, Dolphins & Porpoises

The Scottish Government has responsibility for the conservation and protection of all cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) within Scottish waters.

All cetaceans are protected under the EU Habitats Directive, which makes it an offence to deliberately capture, kill or recklessly disturb cetaceans. A Special Area of Conservation (SAC) has been established in the Moray Firth to protect the local population of Bottlenose dolphins. A consultation on an SAC for Harbour Porpoise is currently under way.